Autos

What Unfinished Man reader wouldn’t like to have a collector car nestling in their garage? Your daily commuter car complete with door dings, food spills, weather deterioration issues, and high mileage can sit out in the street. Oh yeah, the collector vehicle gets the garage spot.

My collector car favorites are sixties and early seventies muscle cars. Now, for your approval, I’d like to present some personal picks of cool classic collectible cars featuring a Shaker hood. Think of me as a good friend helping you to spend a little of your hard earned doh-ray-me. (Or give you something to dream about, anyways.)

The iconic American brand Jeep has teamed up with French design studio, Style & Design, to create two concept nautical-themed Jeep Wrangler Unlimited models, presented at Salon Nautique de Paris (Paris Nautical Show).  The bespoke vehicles are called Wrangler Nautic Blanche and Wrangler Nautic Noir and seem to have been inspired somewhat by the Defender 90 Yachting.

The Jeep Wrangler Nautic Blanche’s design is inspired by a sailboat and features an all-white exterior with chrome 20 inch wheels and chrome grill, door handles, gas cap, and trunk hinges.  The interior is quite luxurious

Classic looks and modern technology, what else does one need in a car?  That’s the idea behind the Huet Brother HB Coupe, a car that’s currently in the development phase.  If this is the first time you’re hearing the Huet Brothers name, you’re not alone.  The company was started by two brothers, Paul and Tino Huet, from Holland.  Their company sells watches and makes cars; a few years ago they produced the HB Special, a roadster based on the Triumph TR6.

With all the attention the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta received recently, and deservedly so, we thought we’d showcase a classic Berlinetta.  As much as I love modern cars, there’s something special about classic sports cars with their simple interiors, curvaceous bodies, and smelly engines.

The classic sports car in question is the 1953 Fiat 8V Series 1 Berlinetta that has been meticulously restored to its former glory.  The 8V, also known as Otto Vu, is powered by a 2.0 liter V8 engine, that’s right, an 8-cylinder engine with only 2 liters of displacement, the engine should make a glorious noise.  The 8V Berlinetta was one of the fastest cars in its day and was one the favorite cars amongst “gentlemen drivers”.

We got a glimpse of the Porsche 918 as a concept back in 2010 at the Geneva Motor Show and Porsche has now revealed the final product. The Porsche 918 Spyder is a plug-in hybrid supercar which will enter production towards the end of September, 2013 and first deliveries being made before end of next year.

The 918 Spyder features a mid-mounted V8 engine capable of producing over 500 horsepower to the rear wheels via a seven speed dual clutch transmission. There are also two electric motors, one per axle, which produce a combined power of 218 horsepower making the 918 Spyder capable of putting out over 770hp.

Two German tuners, Fostla and MTM, have collaborated to improve the already sexy and very fast Audi RS6 Avant. The RS6 Avant is one of the fastest wagons money can buy and it’s about to get a whole lot faster thanks to enhancements by MTM.

The RS6 Avant already produces 571 horsepower from the factory thanks to the 5.0 liter bi-turbo V10 engine. But why have 571 horsepower when you can have 749 horsepower and 673 lb-ft of torque? The new found power comes from a performance chip, engine tune, and complete conversion of the transmission.

The Audi R8 was first introduced in 2006, hard to believe it’s been so long, and over the years the car has seen various upgrades and even a spyder version.  For 2013 the German sports car supposedly sees a full-on refresh, although the 2013 R8 would look very similar to the previous model to the average man.  You’ll have to look really closely at the car to notice the new LED headlights and taillights, and the revised front and rear bumpers.